episode_0039

Since visiting Rager in prison, Dakota has been strangely on edge. It’s been a week since their subtle confrontation.

I decided to directly ask what was bothering her, but the discomfort in my lower abdomen kept me awake until dawn.

It was a different kind of pain from indigestion or an upset stomach. It felt more like being squeezed tightly in the lower abdomen, similar to the feeling of being punched in the groin rather than kicked or hit.

The discomfort continued in a regular cycle. I even checked my tailbone just in case, but there was nothing wrong. Since there was no injury to treat, any emergency measures to soothe the pain were useless.

But there was a more serious issue.

“Oh, damn, I’m bleeding. Oh, god…”

Feeling uneasy, I lowered my pants and saw blood on my underwear. Thankfully, it hadn’t stained the sheets, but it was only a matter of time.

I was quite puzzled by the fact that I was bleeding, just like Rager had been shocked. But as a man who harbored a fiery spirit in his chest, I decided not to whine like Rager did.

It was something I could handle on my own.

I took out a sanitary pad from the drawer… but I struggled for a while because I didn’t know how to use it.

After attaching it to my underwear and taking a warm shower to relieve the discomfort, I lay back in bed.

“Ouch…”

It still hurt.

It felt like a tiny dwarf was inside my pants, boxing my testicles. This expression doesn’t perfectly describe the agony, but the irritation was overwhelming, yet not unbearable to the point of death. I couldn’t sleep a wink until just before the morning roll call.

Is this how menstrual cramps last all day long? I searched the internet, but I wanted more vivid and reliable information.

So, I made a phone call.

Despite the early hour, Rager answered quickly.

“What’s up so early in the morning?”

“Uh, hey, I, uh…”

Even though I only made groaning sounds, Rager somehow knew what was going on and let out a deep sigh.

“Is it your period by any chance?”

“Uh…”

When girls suddenly groan, it’s usually because of their period.

“How heavy is your flow?”

“How should I put it? It just started.”

“Is it a lot? Did you soak your panties?”

“No, not that much. Just enough to know it started.”

“Good for you. I suffered a lot because mine was heavy.”

I barely held back a joke about her having such a heavy flow that she must have bled out like a martyr.

“How painful is it?”

“How should I describe it?”

“Feels like someone’s punching your stomach? With a fist?”

“Not that intense. It’s like getting a light tap on the testicles every 3 seconds.”

“Damn, that sounds awful.”

“Now you can empathize with this pain.”

“Shut up.”

Remembering the time she kicked me in the groin, Rager cursed, shaking with anger. Honestly, I feel a bit guilty when I think about that moment.

“Hey. Can you come down to the dormitory for a bit? Around 10 o’clock.”

“Why?”

“I’m getting discharged around that time. Just come see me for a moment.”

“It’s hard for me to move.”

“It’ll only take a moment. I’ll contact you when I’m ready.”

“Fine.”

“Oh right. And you, could summon everyday items like pants with your tablet, right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Anyway, why did you call me out of the blue without even checking up on me?”

With a sarcastic remark, Lager handed me a tip.

“Draw a hot pack and put it on your lower abdomen. Take warm baths frequently. Drink plenty of water.”

“Ah… okay.”

“Do you have warm clothes?”

“I have fleece pajamas. It might be a bit warm for now.”

“Just wear them. …Oh, you can’t wear pants because of that?”

“I’ll draw and wear them.”

Drawing pants wasn’t that difficult.

“Dr. Period, indeed.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I made a sarcastic comment, and Lager responded with a chuckle.

“I’ve been having periods for over 12 years, so wouldn’t it be weird if I didn’t have some expertise? Not just me, but Lena and Dakota probably have all these tips too.”

“Is that so?”

“I do get severe menstrual cramps. But it’s not excruciating, right?”

“It’s painful but…”

“Anyway, see you later. Make sure to come down.”

Lager hung up first. With a grimace, I glared at my phone, but the bombardment of pain from my lower abdomen started again, so I groaned and grabbed my tablet, throwing myself onto the bed.

“Ouch, ugh…”

And immediately, I picked up my pencil and drew a hot pack. Drawing pictures almost every day had improved my attention to detail and speed at completing drawings. Since drawing was essentially my ability and specialty, it was a desirable outcome.

Summoning the hot pack and tearing it open, I hesitated a bit before placing it on my abdomen because it was getting too warm. Besides, fundamentally…

“Oh, my tail.”

I thought I had adapted fairly well over the past month, but lying down during my period was a new experience, and my tailbone folded up again. I wrapped the hot pack in a layer of blanket and lay down, curling up my stomach on top of it, completing the optimal period posture.

“Phew…”

Taking deep breaths and closing my eyes, I felt the tension in my stomach gradually easing. Although it wasn’t a complete recovery, it seemed like there wouldn’t be any problem going downstairs to the lower floor.

As my lower abdomen warmed up, sleep gently approached. The fatigue from staying up all night seemed to hit me now. I set my phone alert to sound and closed my eyes for a moment.

It felt like I had been lying down for about 5 minutes when the phone rang.

“…Hello.”

“Did you sleep?”

“Yeah. Do I sound sleepy?”

“You slept like a log after your neck got stiff. Hurry down.”

Damn regulations, making me go all the way downstairs. I grumbled and quickly got dressed before heading out of the dormitory.

Taking the elevator to the first floor and stepping outside, I saw Lager sitting on a bench in front of the dormitory. He waved when he spotted me. I had wondered if he would be waiting right in front, and sure enough, he had that much sense, which was fortunate.

“Why did you bother to come or go?”

With his hands in his pockets, he approached and bluntly asked with sleepy eyes.

Lager handed me a hefty plastic bag.

“Take it and eat.”

Inside the plastic bag were a hot pack and sanitary pads. And underneath…

“…Seaweed soup?”

There was instant seaweed soup from the convenience store. It seemed like it was already heated up and ready to eat, judging by the warmth.

“Seaweed is rich in iron, so it’s good for preventing anemia during your period. It’s good for your overall health too.”

“That’s quite touching.”

“It’s the vibe that comes from my aura.”

“I’ll enjoy it.”

With a weak smile, I shook his hand, and as I turned away, Lager added one more thing.

“Hey, and don’t smoke today.”

“Why? Is that bad for periods too?”

Lager hesitated for a moment at my question.

“Just don’t smoke if you don’t want to,” he said stubbornly.

“What’s the big deal? I’ll handle it myself,” I replied with a senseless laugh, waving my hand lightly before heading back to the dorm. I’ll have to come back down for a smoke after he leaves.

I haven’t even had a meal today. Lena did ask if I was okay, but she didn’t offer direct help. Maybe she thought it wasn’t necessary to go that far since we’re both women.

But Lager was also a woman before.

As I nodded to myself, the elevator arrived on the first floor. I stepped in and pressed the button for the seventh floor.

My phone vibrated. Judging by the repeated ringing, it was a call.

The caller was Dakota.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“I’m on the first floor.”

“Are you feeling okay?”

What’s going on? With a heavy heart, I pressed the close button on the elevator.

The signal must have been weak because the call was cut off. Finally, I arrived on the seventh floor.

Dakota was standing in front of my dorm, holding something and staring blankly in my direction.

Approaching her slowly in my slippers, she asked, “Did you go out for some fresh air?”

As usual, her tone was cold. She subtly examined my complexion.

“Are you curious about me or just pretending to be concerned?”

“As part of the leadership duties, we also check on the well-being of those absent due to menstrual cramps.”

“Are you not at all suspicious yourself?”

Dakota nodded silently. Then, she noticed the black plastic bag in my hand and asked, “What’s that?”

After a moment of hesitation, considering my limited personal relationships and Dakota’s extensive network of information, I decided that lying wouldn’t last long.

“Lager gave it to me,” I confessed honestly.

Dakota glanced inside the bag and looked surprised. “Hot packs, sanitary pads, and seaweed soup.”

This is embarrassing. She’s totally jealous. As I discreetly tried to escape into the dorm, Dakota spoke softly, “Godeun knows a lot about menstruation.”

“What?”

“She only bought the smallest size of pads and even seaweed soup. I’ve never met a man who knows so much about menstruation.”

Dakota raised a suspicious eyebrow, her intense purple eyes without double eyelids shining brightly.

“Perhaps…”

As Dakota trailed off, my lips suddenly felt dry.

What is she trying to imply this time…